Christmas Fabric Wrap

This year, my daughter Erin suggested we wrap gifts in fabric – not paper. I think it’s a great idea as we can re use the fabric year after year. I picked up fabric scraps at the thrift store. I also came across some lightweight cotton place mats that will be a nice size to wrap a small gift.  I have a few older table clothes that my mom sewed for me many years ago. I think I’ll re purpose them into wrap also. I hope you give green gift wrapping a try.

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BBQ Potting Stand

Last summer when our BBQ broke, my husband made me this potting table.  For the top he used old floor boards that we had taken from our 1913 home.  I painted the top blue – left over paint from my chair project.  I like the wheels on it. I wheel it around to differant areas of the yard. In addition to using the stand for potting, I use it as an extra serving table when we’re entertaining.  I think it looks pretty with a plant on it.

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Freecycle

I decided to post again about Freecyle after I put a  computer monitor on the site for giveway. I had to replace my monitor as I have a smaller space and needed a flat screen. Instead of taking the larger monitor to the recycling depot, I decided to post it on Freecycle first.  The site has changed a bit since I last posted about it. What I like now is that one can upload a photo. Freecycle is all about reuse, recycle, and keeping good stuff out of landfills. The site is very well organized and monitored.  I have gifted items such as: an office chair; books; a chest of drawers; DVD s; a rain barrel; clothing; hunting gear; moving boxes; and computer hardware. I have kept many things out of the land fill. I have also acquired a few things. This is how it works in a nutshell: you post an “Offer” with a brief description of what you are offering; Freecycle members who are interested reply and you receive an email; you choose who to gift the item to; the person drives to your home and picks the item up (I put the item on my porch with a name on it). If you are looking for something in particular you create a ‘Wanted’ post.  Please think about Freecycle the next time you are sending something to the landfill.

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Repair and Reuse Old Things – Chair

You know it is so much fun to find an old piece of furniture and give it new life. I found 4 chairs at a thrift store for 5.00 total. The local hardware store had few paint choices but we found suitable paint. My husband lightly sanded them and I painted them (royal blue).  In about 12 hours we had great looking chairs in our weekend place. The chairs can be used around  a kitchen table; in the corner of a bedroom; or anywhere extra seating is needed.  It is so simple to refinish things. Just give it a try.

(Chair as purchased at thrift store)

(Light sanding)

(Enamel paint)

( 4th coat of paint)

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Repair and Reuse Old Things – Dresser

I sure like restoring and reusing things. I previously saw the Sherwin Williams paint color ‘Naval’ on Favorite Paint Colors. I really liked the color and was waiting for the perfect item to use it on. I came across this small chest of drawers and decided it was the piece to paint the color ‘Naval’. I think it looks great, don’t you? Now I have extra storage space in my laundry area, or where I need it. It’s so easy to fix something up. I simply sanded this piece lightly; washed it down; painted it; and applied new handles. I let it dry for at least 8 hours before I applied the 3rd and 4th coat of paint, just to be sure the paint was cured. All in all, it was a weekend project. Let’s keep things out of the landfill and reuse where we are able.

(Chest of drawers lightly sanded)

(First coat of paint on the drawers)

(First coat of paint on the frame)

(4th coat of paint and new knobs )

(Sherwin Williams – “6244 Naval”)

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Vintage Metal Table

This past summer I came across an article in Real Simple featuring artful outdoor furniture pieces. Being a gardener, I was very interested in acquiring a piece or two. I thought ‘I’ve seen stuff like that at the thrift store’. I decided to keep a look out for older metal pieces that I could spray paint.  In October, I came across a brilliantly blue (painted) vintage metal table.  It was $2.00. I really liked the snowflake pattern and thought the bright blue would look great in my new garden. I brought it home and stored it in the shed.  Meanwhile, in the back of my mind was the desire to add to our living room a visually lightweight, gold colored table.  So just the other day, I decided to spray paint the blue metal table, that was in the shed, gold. Well,  I’m really happy with the outcome. I used Tremclad Hammered paint ($8.99 per can). Just 2 coats and the job was done. I want to stress how home decorating can be done on the smallest of budgets. If you have patience, shop used, and use spray paint! As for the garden piece, I’m confident I’ll find other items at the thrift store or at a garage sale in the future. I hope I’ve encouraged you to reuse where you can and be adventurous with your decorating.

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